Among the high-profile games scheduled for tonight, the Clippers versus the Lakers is the most standout one. Over the years the two have faced each other multiple times with the same enthusiasm and zeal required for a crunch tie between the cross-city rivals.
With the Playoff race heating up, the Lakers are in dire need of wins, and they have a tough test in the Clippers ahead of them. The shared court of the arch-rivals is anticipating the star-studded teams to engage in a smash-mouth contest. All eyes will be on LeBron and Co. when they face Kawhi Leonard-powered Clippers tonight.
Injury report on LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Cam Reddish
The Lakers will be facing their arch-rivals Clippers tonight at the Crypto.com Arena, but the injury list might act as a disadvantage for them.
LeBron James, who came clutch in these two teams’ meeting in November, is listed as questionable for the game. Since coming back from the NBA All-Star break, LBJ missed the game against the Warriors due to his left ankle injury which made him struggle in the star-studded game as well. The 39-year-old played the Lakers’ last two games scoring 30 and 28 points.
Anthony Davis, who had bilateral Achilles tendinopathy, played all three games after the break. Though he missed practice due to a respiratory infection his status shows probable. Cam Reddish who was sidelined due to ankle injury, has his status upgraded as probable after missing the last 14 games. He will be a welcome addition to help the team with his defensive abilities.
Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt all remain sidelined with arthroscopic surgery, left knee effusion and right midfoot sprain respectively.
The Clippers have also announced that their star player Paul George, who missed the last game against the Kings, has been ruled out for the Lakers game due to an ankle injury. Though some of the star players will miss the game due to injury the game between the city rivals will be nothing short of a thriller.
Lakers vs Clippers match preview
The Clippers vs Lakers match starts on Feb. 28, 2024, at 10:00 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers have a historical advantage in the rivalry with a 152-86 record. After the All-Star break the Lakers had a 2-1 win whereas the Clippers had just the alternate (1-2).
Over the last five games, the Lakers have a 3-2 record with the latest win coming against Spurs. The Lakers are currently languishing at the 10th spot in the Western Conference while the Clippers are firmly maintaining their 4th spot.
Despite the recent rut that makes their record 2-3 over the last five games, the Clippers can take confidence from their recent years’ record against their neighbors. Since the turn of the decade, the Lakers have won only four times compared to the twelve of the Clippers.
The last two occasions did not have the presence of LeBron James but both times the Lakers came on top. They will look for more of the same to keep their playoff hopes alive as the big games are coming thick and fast. The Lakers nation can only hope a quick comeback for their King James to pull them through the mammoth task in coming days.
